As summer temperatures rise, so do commercial energy prices. Across the UK, businesses ranging from leisure centres and hotels to data centres, offices, and supermarkets are feeling the impact. Commercial energy rates surge as cooling demands peak resulting in systems becoming strained.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right energy upgrades – such as commercial insulation, commercial heat pumps, or even commercial solar panels – you can cut your energy prices and discover how to stop carbon emissions through smarter building upgrades. These changes also help you stay ahead of upcoming regulations, such as the need for an Energy Performance Certificate for commercial property.
If you’re wondering how to stop carbon emissions in your business, it starts with action. Here’s how to stop overpaying, lower your carbon footprint, and make summer energy challenges work in your favour.
Why Commercial Energy Prices Spike in Summer
During the summer months, commercial energy consumption increases significantly. Air conditioning systems in hotels and offices run for longer hours, leisure centres and gyms see HVAC systems under intense demand, and data centres must keep critical servers at controlled temperatures. Warehouses and supermarkets also face higher commercial cooling costs as ventilation and refrigeration systems work harder.
Buildings that lack proper commercial insulation, efficient cooling technologies, or commercial solar panels, often end up paying far more than necessary. This cost is both financial and environmental. Without improvements or an updated energy performance certificate, commercial businesses not only overpay but also contribute to emissions from the UK’s industrial sector, which accounts for 17% of the national total, according to DESNZ.
How Cutting Carbon Emissions Also Cuts Energy Bills
Addressing your carbon footprint and understanding how to stop carbon emissions is not just about environmental responsibility – it’s also smart economics. Commercial heating alone accounts for around 32% of commercial energy use (Carbon Trust), and inefficient systems are a major source of both carbon emissions and financial waste.
Studies show that upgrading energy systems could cut sector emissions by up to 60% (UK Green Building Council), delivering major savings along the way. Improvements such as commercial heat pump installations, enhanced commercial insulation, and on-site renewable energy for business solutions significantly lower consumption and costs.
Buildings that reduce energy use benefit from decreased energy prices, better resilience to future commercial energy rate changes, and improved asset value. Plus, with compliance deadlines fast approaching – including the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) target of reaching the energy performance certificate grade C by 2027 and grade B by 2030 – efficiency upgrades are becoming essential for landlords and occupiers alike.
Put simply, decreasing carbon emissions directly leads to lowering your commercial energy costs.
Proven Solutions for Lower Bills and Lower Emissions
Several solutions offer proven results for UK businesses looking to reduce commercial energy costs and environmental impact this summer.
First, commercial solar panels are a natural fit. By generating electricity during daylight hours when cooling demands are highest, solar panels for commercial buildings can offset up to 70% of a building’s electricity use (UK Government Solar PV Strategy). A typical 100kW rooftop installation can save 20–25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually (Carbon Trust), while providing strong financial returns under the Smart Export Guarantee – a major win for any renewable energy business strategy.
Commercial heat pumps are another game-changer. Unlike traditional gas boilers and air conditioners, air source and ground source heat pump systems deliver heating and cooling with up to 400% efficiency (Energy Saving Trust). Replacing gas systems with heat pumps can reduce commercial heating emissions by 60% or more. For buildings like leisure centres, offices, and manufacturing sites, they offer a double win: lowering both summer cooling and winter heating bills.
Meanwhile, commercial insulation upgrades remain a cornerstone of energy efficiency. Good industrial insulation prevents overheating in summer as well as heat loss in winter, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling and heating. According to the Energy Saving Trust, cavity wall insulation alone can reduce energy loss by up to 15%, while roof and loft insulation can prevent up to 25% of total heat loss. For older buildings, external or internal wall insulation can unlock even greater savings.
For businesses serious about long-term energy and carbon reduction, full commercial building retrofit projects provide the most comprehensive approach. Upgrading building fabric, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and integrating commercial renewable energy can cut total energy use by 50–80% (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero). It’s a major investment, but one that typically pays for itself within a few years – while dramatically improving your energy performance certificate commercial rating and boosting operational resilience.
What Kind of Savings Are Possible?
The potential savings from these measures are significant. Commercial solar panels can deliver electricity cost reductions of 30% to 70%, while commercial heat pumps can cut heating and cooling costs by 40% to 60%. Commercial insulation improvements typically reduce energy demand for cooling by 20% to 40%, and full building retrofits can halve overall energy use – or more.
For example, a 2,000m² leisure centre installing a combined solar PV and heat pump system could realistically save over £80,000 a year, while cutting more than 100 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
| Measure | Potential Annual Energy Cost Savings | Potential Annual Carbon Savings (tCO₂) |
| Commercial Solar PV Installation | 30%–70% electricity cost reduction¹ | 5–50+ tonnes (depending on size)² |
| Commercial Heat Pumps Installation | 40%–60% heating/cooling cost saving³ | 10–100+ tonnes (depending on building)³ |
| Commercial Insulation Installation | 20%–40% reduction in cooling needs⁴ | 5–25 tonnes |
| Full Commercial Retrofit | 50%–80% overall energy savings⁵ | 50–500+ tonnes |
¹ UK Government Solar PV Strategy | ² Carbon Trust | ³ Energy Saving Trust | ⁴ UK Green Building Council | ⁵ Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Funding Support for Energy Upgrades
UK businesses have access to a range of funding schemes to support energy efficiency improvements and reduce commercial energy prices:
- Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS):
Offers full or part funding for public sector heating and commercial energy upgrades, including insulation and heat pump installations. - Smart Export Guarantee (SEG):
Provides payments for surplus electricity from commercial solar panels exported to the grid (regulated by Ofgem), making renewable energy for business a more financially attractive option. - Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA):
Allows businesses to claim 100% first-year tax relief on investments in approved energy-saving technologies, such as commercial renewable energy systems and insulation. - Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF):
Offers funding for energy-intensive industrial businesses transitioning to low-carbon technologies – ideal for those looking to decrease commercial energy costs and emissions. - Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) grants:
Regional funding often supports decarbonisation efforts, helping businesses meet future energy performance certificate standards for commercial property (eligibility varies).
Note:
Private sector businesses can also explore Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), green loans, and lease financing to adopt renewable energy for business solutions with minimal upfront investment.
Why Work with Cotswold Energy Group?
Cotswold Energy Group specialises in designing and delivering turnkey commercial renewable energy and efficiency solutions. From commercial solar panels and heat pump installations to full commercial retrofit projects, we offer a complete service – including feasibility studies, energy performance certificate support, grant applications, system installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Our focus is simple: helping businesses decrease commercial energy prices, cut emissions, and stay compliant in an increasingly regulated market.
Whether you’re looking for quick-win upgrades like commercial insulation, or planning a long-term strategy to meet commercial energy certificate standards, we can help you unlock the full value of renewable energy for business.
Book a Free Consultation
Ready to start slashing your commercial energy costs and discovering how to stop carbon emissions? Book a free, no-obligation consultation with Cotswold Energy Group today. We’ll help you identify savings opportunities, maximise funding options, and build a clear plan to decarbonise and future-proof your business – and your bottom line.